Ignition device for gas burners



April 6, 1937. Y G Q SMH-H 2,076,418

IGNITION DEVICE FOR GAS BURNERS Filed April 1, 1936 2 Sheets-Sheet l /flnuentm pril 6, 1937. G, Q SMH-H 2,076,418

IGNITION DEVICE FOR GAS BURNERS Filed April 1, 193e 2 sheets-sheet 2Patented Apr. 6, 1937 UNITED STATES PATENT oEFicE 13 Claims.

My invention relates to improvements in ignition devices for gas burnersand the like, and the object of the invention is to provide a lowvoltage spark generating device for igniting the gas, in combinationwith an electrically actuated gas feeding valve operated in unisontherewith.

A further object of my invention is to furnish a master switch containedin the .electric circuit actuating the ignition device, so that if theignition device fails to light the gas, the switch opens to break thecircuit and close the gas valve and also stops sparking of the ignitiondevice.

Another and Very particular object of my invention is to provide a smallself contained unit operating on a current in the vicinity of six voltsand wherein light wiring of the electric bell type can be used.

With these and other objects in view, which shall be hereinafterdisclosed, my invention consists of an ignition device constructed andarranged, all as hereinafter more particularly described, andillustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:-

Fig. 1 is an elevational view of one side of my device, the solenoid andgas valve actuated thereby being shown in section.

Fig. 2 is an elevational view of the other side of the device, thecasing of the master switch being shown in section.

Fig. 3 is a plan view of the device.

Fig. 4 is an end elevational View of the device.

Fig. 5 is a horizontal cross sectional View through the master switchcasing, being taken through the line 5 5 of Figure 2.

Fig. 6 is a similar View of the master switch and its casing to thatshown in Figure 2, the switch in this view being shown open, and

Fig. '7 is a reduced side elevational View of a complete assembly.

Like characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in thedifferent views of they drawings.

The device, apart from spark point carrying arms, is housed in a casingI, which in most figures of the drawings is shown in section. The sparkpoint carrying arms 2 and 3 are preferably of elbow shape and projectthrough the top of the casing I and have their outer ends positionedabove a gas burner 4 or the like, as illustrated in Fig. '7.

A gas valve assembly 5 is provided in the gas line feeding the burner 4,and comprises a down- Wardly depressible mushroom valve 6 having itshead resting on a seat 1 formed in the open bottom of a perforatedsleeve 8. The valve is depressed against a spring 9, and the gasentering from the pipe II) passes through the open bottom of the sleeve6 and through the perforations into the gas burner feeding pipe II, asindicated by the arrows. When the valve is allowed to move upwardlyunder the tension of the spring S, the passage of gas to the burner iscut off.

The casing I contains a solenoid coil I2 carried upon a spool I3 whichis formed of fibre or other insulating material. The lower half of thecentral passage I 4 in the spool contains a steel bushing I5 whichbecomes magnetized when the coil is energized. A brass rod i6 is freelyslidable within the bushing I5 and projects from the bottom of the spoolto rest upon the upper end of the stem of the valve 6. The upper end ofthe rod carries a steel head I'! which is pulled towards the top of thesteel bushing I5 when the coil i2 is energized, and such movement of thehead and its supporting rod I6 moves the valve 6 downwardly, against thespring 9, into the open position.

The solenoid coil containing spool I3 is mounted in a ring member I8preferably formed of soft iron and having a threaded orifice 49 in itslower end which receives the top of an outer sleeve I 9 threaded uponthe upper end of the perforated sleeve 8. The coil assembly is supportedin place by an iron spacing ring 5U interposed between the top of thesleeve I9 and the bottom of the bushing I5. The casing I has a bottomorifice aligned with the orice 49 and through which the sleeve I9extends. The sleeve I9 carries a casing engaging nut 2D.

The upper end of the ring member I8 supports a pair of coils 2| and 22,the cores of which become magnetized when the coils are energized. Thecoils are insulated from the ring. A length of spring steel 23 projectsfrom the upper end of a block of insulation 24 and has its free endpositioned above the core of the coil 22. When the coil is energized thefree end of such length of spring steel bends downwardly towards thecore. This length of steel carries the elbow arm 2. The lower end of theother elbow arm 3 is secured to the side of the ring member I8. The arm3 is rigid, while the arm 2 vibrates with the length of spring steel 23.A tension spring 25 extends from a block of insulation 26 on the arm 3to the arm 2. In practice this spring is adjustable in tension to governthe degree of oscillation of the arm 2.

'I'he outer end of the arm 3 carries a bimetal strip 21 enlarging inwidth towards its free end.

il ness.

The strip 2l carries a spark point 29 in the vicinity of its outer end,and such point contacts a similar point 28 carried upon the end of thearm 2. The studs constituting the points 29 and 28 are respectivelythreaded into the strip 2"! and arm 2, so that they are adjustable inrelation to one another.

A libre lever 3G is fulcrumed intermediately of its length upon a pin 3lprojecting downwardly from the top of the casing i and at one endcarries an adjustably mounted steel stud 32 positioned above the core ofthe coil 2i. The other end of the lever 38 projects from the casing lthrough an orice 33, and carries a rigidly mounted downwardly projectingrod 34. A master switch housing 35, formed of insulating material, ismounted upon the top of the ring member i8 and projects from the casingl.

A strip of metal 3S is contained within the housing 35, having one endanchored and the other bent over and contained in an orice 3l in theface of the housing projecting from the casing l. A second strip ofmetal 38 extends between the orifice 3'1 and the rod 34, and is bentover at -1 one end.

The bent over end of the strip 38 is also contained within the orifice3l, and normally makes resilient electrical contact with the bent overend of the strip 36. The other end o the strip 38 carries a terminalscrew 39 to which the lead in wire lli] is secured. The lower end oi therod 34 projects through an orice 4l in the strip, such orifice being ofa diameter greater than that of the rod, so that there is a lost motionbetween rod oscillations and resultant sliding movement of the inner endof the strip 38, as shall be hereinafter explained.

In the drawings I have shown the wiring of my device in diagrammaticform for the sake of clear- Electrical current enters the device fromthe lead in wire i0 through the strips 33 and 33, from where a lead 42extends to the winding of the coil 2l. The winding of the coil 2i is inturn connected to the winding of the coil 22 by a connection 43, and thecoil 22 is connected to the elbow arm 2 by a lead 44. Current passesfrom the arm 2 to the arm 3 between the points 28 and 29, and fromthence to the ground terminal 155 carried on the arm 3.

To energize the gas valve controlling solenoid coil l2, a lead fili istaken from the lead 42 and extends to the winding of the coil I2, and anoutlet connection 8'.' is provided between the coil i2 and the groundterminal 85 on the arm 3. Current is supplied to my device from asuitable source, as from a transformer provided to step down the voltagefrom the normal input of say one hundred and ten to six volts, thuspermitting a light duty wiring to be used between the transformer andthe ignition device. A switch 48, either manually or thermostaticallyactuated, is furnished in the wiring l0 to the device.

The operation of my device is as follows:-

When the switch i8 is closed to ignite the gas burner f1, current entersthrough the contacting metal strips 38 and 3S and flows through theconnection 42 to the pair of coils 2l and 22 and also through the lead43 to the solenoid coil l2, and from the respective coils through thearms 2 and 3, and lead d'1, to the ground terminal 55.

The passage of current through the solenoid coil i2 magnetizes the steelbushing l5 to draw the head towards the top of the bushing, and thisaction moves the head supporting rod I6 and Valve 6 downwardly againstthe spring 9 to open the valve and permit the gas to pass from the pipeIG to the burner 4. At the same time, the energizing of the coils 2l and22 magnetizes their cores so that they exert an attraction upon thespring strip 23 and the steel stud 32 on the b-re lever 30.

The stud carrying end of the lever 30 is normally held against completedownward movement towards the coil 2i by the tension between theengaging bent ends of the strips 38 and 38. As the end of the springstrip 23 bends towards its energized coil 22 it swings the supported arm2 downwardly, as indicated by the arrow A in Figure l, thus separatingthe points 28 and 29 and causing a spark jump, as the current energizingthe coils 2l and 22 passes through the arms. The separation of thepoints breaks the circuit to de-magnetize the coils thereby vibratingthe steel strip 23 and the lever 30 and upon return of the arm 3 underthe tension oi the spring 25 the electrical circuit is closed and theoperation is repeated. The recurring spark, thus created, ignites thegas.

When the gas is ignited, the heat playing upon the bi-metal strip 21,which is of increased width at its end to secure a rise in temperatureas soon as possible, causes such strip to bend upwardly as shown indotted line in Figure l, whereby the point 29 moves out of Contact withthe vibrating point 28 and opens the circuit through the coils 2l and22. This circuit remains open, through the bent position of the bi-metalstrip, as long as the burner is lit. The opening of the circuit throughthe arms and coils 2| and 22, does not affect the passage of currentthrough the solenoid coil l2. During the sparking period, which isnormally about ten seconds, before the gas ignites, the lever 38vibrates about its fulcrum pin 3| as the circuit is opened and closed,and such vibrating motion causes the end of the rod 34 to tap againstthe side of the orifice 4i in the strip 38, in the direction shown bythe arrow B in Figure 2.

If there should be no ignition of gas, through some unforeseen reason,the protracted tapping action will in less than several minutes overcomethe tension between the bent ends of the strips 36 and 38, and cause thestrip 38 to jump out into the position illustrated in Figure 6 wherebythe passage of current into the device is cut orf with the consequentde-magnetizing of all the coils, which stops the sparking and permitsthe gas valve 8 to close under the tension of the spring 9. When thecause of non-ignition of gas in the burner fl is remedied, the strip 38is manually returned to its contacting position, as shown in Figure 2.In order to prevent the strip 38 from being pushed too far into theorice 3'! when the switch is being reset, I form the bent end of thestrip with a lip which engages the face of the housing 35. When it isdesired to turn off the heat, the switch 48 is opened to cut off currentpassing to my device, whereupon the de-magnetizing of the solenoid coili2 permits the gas valve 6 to close under the tension of the spring 9,and when the gas goes out, the bi-metal strip upon cooling straightensout, and my device is ready to function and reignite the gas when theswitch 48 is again closed.

While I have shown and described my device as used in conjunction with agas burner, it is to be understood that it can be used for a diversityof purposes, without departing from the spirit of my invention as setforth in the appended claims.

What I claim as my invention is:

1. In an ignition device of the character described, the combinationwith a vibratory electrical spark gap element and electro-magnetic meansactuating said element, of a master switch vcontained in the electricalcircuit energizing the Aelectro-magnetic means and actuated by the electro-.magnetic means, and a member vibrating under the influence of theelectro-magnetic means and tending to open the master switch.

2. In an ignition device of the character described, they combinationwith a vibratory electrical spark gap element and electro-magnetic meanscontained within the same electrical circuit as the spark gap elementand actuating such element, of a master switch also contained in thesame circuit and actuated by the electro-magnetic means, and a memberVibrating under the influence of the electro-magnetic means and tendingto open the master switch.

3. -In an ignition device of the character described, the combinationwith a vibratory electrical spark gap relement and electro-magneticmeans actuating said element, of a master switch contained in theelectrical circuit energizing the electro-magnetic means and actuated bythe electro-magnetic means, a fuel valve, and a solenoid coil actuatingthe valve and energized by an` electrical circuit apart from the circuitto the electro-magnetic means but controlled by the master switch.

4. In an ignition device of the character described, the combinationwith a vibratory electrical spark gap element and electro-magnetic meansactuating said element, of a master switch contained in the electricalcircuit energizing the electro-magnetic means and actuated by theelectro-magnetic means, a fuel Valve, and a solenoid coil opening thevalve when energized, said coil being energized by an electrical circuitapart from the circuit to the electro-magnetic means but controlled bythe master switch.

5. In an ignition device of the character described, the combinationwith a vibratory electrical spark gap element and electro-magnetic meansactuating said element, of a master switch contained in the electricalcircuit energizing the electro-magnetic means and actuated by theelectro-magnetic means, a member vibrating under the influence of theelectro-magnetic means and tending to open the master switch, a fuelvalve, and a solenoid coil opening the valve when energized, said coilybeing energized by an electrical circuit apart from the circuit to theelectro-magnetic means but controlled by the master switch.

6. In an ignition device of the character described, the combinationwith a vibratory electrical spark gap element and electro-magnetic meanscontained within the same electrical circuit as the spark gap elementand actuating such element, of a master switch also contained in thesame circuit and actuated by the electromagnetic means, a membervibrating under the influence of the electro-magnetic means and ytending to open the master switch, a fuel valve,

and a solenoid coil actuating the valve and energized by an electricalcircuit apart from the circuit to the electromagnetic means butcontrolled by the master switch.

7. In an ignition device of the character described, a uid valve, asolenoid coil opening the valve when energized, a pair or" arms, one ofthe arms being mounted for vibration, a spark point carried by each arm,a member bendable under an increase of temperature and mounted uponpoints, a .second electric circuit energizing the f solenoid coilindependently of the passage of current through the electro-magneticcoil and across the points, a master switch controlling the passage ofcurrent through both circuits, and electro-magnetic means energized bythe first circuit and provided to` actuate the master switch.

8. In an ignition device of the character described, a fluid valve, asolenoid coil opening the valve when energized, a pair of arms, one ofthe arms being mounted for vibration, a spark point carried by each arm,a member bendable under an increase of temperature and mounted upon onearm and upon which one of the spark points is carried, anelectro-magnetic coil io-r vibrating one arm, an electric circuitenergizing the coil and passing between the spark points, a secondelectric circuit energizing the solenoid coil independently of thepassage of current through the electro-magnetic coil and across thepoints, a master switch controlling the passage of current through bothcircuits, a vibratory lever member for actuating the master switch, andelectromagnetic means energized by the first circuit and operating thevibratory lever member.

9. In an ignition device of the character described, a iiuid valve, asolenoid coil opening the valve when energized, a pair of arms, one ofthe arms being mounted for vibration, a spark point carried by each arm,a member bendable under an increase of temperature and mounted upon onearm and upon which one of the spark points is carried, anelectro-magnetic coil for vibrating one arm, an electric circuitenergizing the coil and passing between the spark points, a secondelectric circuit energizing the solenoid coil independently of thepassage of current through the electro-magnetic coil and across thepoints, a. master switch controlling the passage of current through bothcircuits, a second electro-magnetic ycoil contained in the rst circuit,and a lever pivoted, to be swung by the magnetic attraction of thesecond coil and actuatably connected to the master switch.

l0. In an ignition device of the character described, a uid valve, asolenoid coil opening the valve when energized, a pair of arms, one ofthe arms being mounted for vibration, a spark point carried by each arm,a member bendable under an increase of temperature and mounted upon onearm and upon which one of the spark points is carried, anelectro-magnetic coil for vibrating one arm, an electric circuitenergizing the coil and passing between the spark points, a secondelectric circuit energizing the solenoid coil independently of thepassage of current through the electro-magnetic coil and across thepoints, a master switch controlling the passage of current through bothcircuits, a slidable contact member in the master switch resilientlyretained in the contacting position, a second electro-magnetic coilcontained in the rst circuit, and a lever pivoted to be swung by themagnetic attraction of the second coil and actuatably connected to themaster switch.

11. In an ignition device of the character described, a uid valve, asolenoid coil opening the valve when energized, a ferrous metal bushingcontained in one end of the bore of the coil, a non-ferrous metal rodfreely slidable within the bushing, a ferrous metal head on the rodcontained in the bore of the coil for movement towards the end of thebushing when the coil is energized, the rod operating the uid valve, apair of arms, one of the arms being mounted for vibration, a spark pointcarried by each arm, a member bendable under an increase of temperatureand mounted upon one arm and upon which one of the spark points iscarried, an electromagnetic coil for Vibrating one arm, an electriccircuit energizing the coil and passing between the spark points and asecond electric circuit energizing the solenoid coil independently ofthe passage of current through the electro-magnetic coil and across thepoints.

12. In an ignition device of the character described, a fluid valve, asolenoid coil opening the valve when energized, a ferrous metal bushingcontained in one end of the bore of the coil, a non-ferrous metal rodfreely slidable Within the bushing, a ferrous metal head on the rodccntained in the bore of the coil for movement towards the end of thebushing when the coil is energized, the rod operating the fluid valve, apair of arms, one of the arms being mounted for vibration, a spark pointcarried by each arm, a member bendable under an increase of temperatureand mounted upon one arm and upon which one of the spark points iscarried, an electro-magnetic coil for vibrating one arm, an electriccircuit energizing the coil and passing between the spark points, asecond electric circuit energizing the solenoid coil independently ofthe passage of current through the electro-magnetic coil and across thepoints, a master switch controlling the passage of current through bothcircuits, and electro-magnetic means energized by the rst circuit andprovided to actuate the master switch.

13. In an ignition device of the character described, a fluid valve, asolenoid coil opening the valve when energized, a ferrous metal bushingcontained in one end of the bore of the coil, a non-ferrous metal rodfreely slidable Within the bushing, a ferrous metal head on the rodcontained in the bore of the coil for movement towards the end of thebushing when the coil is energized, the rod operating the fluid valve, apair of arms, one of the arms being mounted for vibration, a spark pointcarried by each arm, a member bendable under an increase of temperatureand Imounted upon one arm and upon which one of the spark points iscarried, an electro-magnetic coil for vibrating one arm, an electriccircuit energizing the coil and passing between the spark points, asecond electric circuit energizing the solenoid coil independently ofthe passage of current through the electro-magnetic coil and across thepoints, a master switch controlling the passage of current through bothcircuits, a second electro-magnetic coil contained in the first circuit,and a lever pivoted, to be swung by the magnetic attraction of thesecond coil and actuatably connected to the master switch.

GEORGE CLARK SMITH.

